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The plum variety "Bruce" is a hybrid plum produced by crossing a Japanese plum with a member of another plum group, called European plums. A tree that can be 15 to 20 feet tall at maturity, it blooms in early spring, producing masses of small, bright white flowers. Ripens somewhat earlier than “Methley," and is usually ready for picking by the start of June. The fruit is especially large and has distinctly red skin and yellow or orange flesh. The variety is generally not self-fruitful and requires a nearby pollinator such as "Methley" or another Japanese-type cultivar for cross-pollination. 500 chilling hours.

Prunus is a genus of more than 200 species of deciduous or evergreen, upright, rounded, or occasionally spreading trees or shrubs, widely distributed in N. temperate regions and in the Andes of South America and mountains of S.E. Asia. They occur mainly in wood­land, woodland margins, and thickets, but also in a range of other habitats, including coastal sands, rocky places, and cliffs. They have alternate, broadly ovate to lance-shaped, elliptic, oblong, or obovate to almost rounded, usually toothed leaves. Ornamental Prunus species and cultivars are grown for their white, or pink or red flowers, which are saucer-, bowl-, or cup-shaped, with 5 petals (more in semi-double or double forms); they are usually followed by fleshy, spherical or ovoid fruits. They are excellent, although often short-lived, specimen trees and shrubs, many being suitable for a small garden.
Prunus salicina, commonly called the Chinese plum or Japanese plum, is a small deciduous tree native to China. It grows up to 20-30ft tall, and has reddish-brown shoots. The flowers are produced in early spring, ¾ inch in diameter with five white petals. The fruit has yellow-pink flesh; it can be harvested in the summer.

Care Tips

Cultivation

Grow in any moist but well-drained, moderately fertile soil: deciduous species and cultivars in full sun, evergreens in full sun or partial shade. If pruning is needed, remove wayward or crossing shoots to maintain permanent, healthy framework. Prune in late winter or early spring, when dormant; some in late summer or early autumn to prevent bleeding of sap. Trim deciduous hedges after flowering, evergreens in early or midspring.